Brighton are weighing up an improved bid in the region of £40m for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.
Chelsea rejected a £30m approach from Brighton last week and are adamant they have no intention of parting with Colwill this summer.
His Chelsea contract runs until 2025 and contains an appearance-related optional 12 months.
But Brighton are considering testing Chelsea’s resolve once again with an offer that would represent a new record fee for the south coast club.
Colwill, 20, spent the season on loan at Brighton and impressed, helping them qualify for Europe for the first time.
Brighton are considering a club record £40m move for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill
Colwill enjoyed a successful loan spell at Brighton last season, helping Roberto De Zerbi’s side qualify for European football for the first time
Chelsea previously rejected a £30m bid from Brighton for the 20-year-old youngster (right)
He enjoyed his time at the Amex, where he got his first taste of Premier League football, and also working under manager Roberto De Zerbi, something potentially providing Brighton with encouragement.
However, as well as Chelsea’s club stance, new head coach Mauricio Pochettino is also keen to work with Colwill, who has been tipped as a future England international.
Brighton’s interest in a permanent move for Colwill comes at the same time as Chelsea eye Seagulls midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Brighton are expected to demand at least £80m for the midfielder who signed a new contract in March but has been assured he will be allowed to leave this summer for the right price.
Meanwhile, N’Golo Kante and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both being targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia, with a delegation travelling to England for talks
N’Golo Kante and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia
Kante’s Chelsea contract is due to expire this month and discussions have yet to result in an extension.
That has left the door open for champions Al-Ittihad and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr who are prepared to pay Kante £86m a season to move to the Pro League.
Striker Aubameyang is of interest to the Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab, who finished third and fourth, as well as being wanted by clubs in Europe.
He was frozen out by Chelsea after only joining last summer and the Blues may need to reach a pay-off agreement to cover the remainder of his contract.
Aubameyang has 12 months left on the initial two-year deal he signed when he joined Chelsea.
Soucre: dailymail.co.uk